Higher Education Opportunity Program

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) provides academic support and financial assistance to young people who might not meet all the traditional college admissions criteria but show promise of succeeding in college.

Pre-Freshman Summer

All students accepted into HEOP are required to participate in an intensive six-week summer program to prepare for their freshman year of college. Studio art (for Parsons) and liberal arts courses, individual counseling, and college-life workshops help them anticipate the demands they will face. HEOP juniors and seniors serve as mentors to the incoming class and help structure this summer precollege experience. Various enrichment activities offered throughout the summer add balance to the academic part of the program.

Tutoring

Tutoring, an aid to academic success, is available to all HEOP students. Group and individual tutoring sessions are offered by academic divisions and departments and directly through the HEOP office. All freshmen and any other students in the program who are experiencing academic difficulty must attend regular tutoring sessions. There are also monthly group workshops to help students develop study
skills and share strategies for academic achievement.

Counseling

All HEOP students receive one-on-one academic and career counseling. Counseling sessions are tailored to help individuals explore avenues for growth in the university, identify their own strengths, and make a healthy adjustment to college-level schoolwork. Counselors provide ongoing support and guidance to students in making decisions about choosing a major, internship opportunities, financial aid, post-graduation study or work, and other topics, depending on individual needs.

Financial Aid

Students admitted through HEOP receive financial aid packages that cover the full cost of tuition through a combination of grants, loans, and work-study. In addition, all HEOP students receive a stipend for books, supplies, commuting costs, and other school-related expenses.

How to Apply

HEOP invites applications for the fall and spring semesters (transfer students only for spring semester). Review the HEOP Fact Sheet (PDF) for eligibility information. Application review begins November 1. The application deadline is February 1.

To apply, follow these steps:

When you apply for admission to Parsons or Eugene Lang College, indicate interest in HEOP on your application.

Include signed documentation of family and personal income as required (signed 1040, SSI, public assistance, etc.)

Include copies of your completed financial aid applications (FAFSA, TAP). All financial aid information must be completed by March 1 for fall
semester applicants. (The New School's FAFSA Title IV code is 002780.)

Only applicants who have submitted all the required documentation will be contacted for an interview.

Student Reviews

What are your fondest memories of the pre-freshman summer?

"Meeting the other HEOP-ers and getting to know them. I learned a lot from my peers and created a special bond and shared unforgettable memories, not only in our class time together but during field trips as well."

What would you tell a high school senior applying to HEOP?

"Working hard will definitely pay off. Don't give up and believe in yourself and your instincts."

"You'll make great friends and you honestly form a bond with these people. Plus you have an amazing team that backs you up and is there to only help you succeed."

"HEOP is a community. There are people here dedicated in helping you reach your goals and pushing you outside of your comfort zone. Perseverance and passion describe the HEOP family."